Shincheonji Church Demands Cross-Referencing Investigation Amid Election Interference Allegations

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has expressed deep concern regarding speculative reports alleging election interference and demanded an impartial investigation by the Joint Investigation Headquarters. These reports, based on claims from expelled individuals, include allegations of "mass entry into the People Power Party," "interference in the Presidential election," and "interference in the General election." The church states unequivocally that it has never instructed members to join any political party, including the People Power Party or the Democratic Party of Korea, or to engage in political activities, asserting that systematic election interference is neither structurally possible nor factually true.

According to the church, it does not have the means to know members' individual political choices, nor does it control them, as individual political activity is a constitutional right. The church does not track the number of party members in its congregation or keep any such lists. Despite this, certain politicians and media outlets are concluding that Shincheonji Church of Jesus is systematically interfering in elections in collusion with a specific party, which the church says amplifies unverified speculation and predetermines the investigation's direction before it concludes.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus seeks truth based on facts and has officially demanded that the Joint Investigation Headquarters conduct a fair verification process. First, the Headquarters must conduct a simultaneous joint inquiry by cross-referencing the list of members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus with political party rosters, including those of the Democratic Party and the People Power Party. The church states its willingness to provide its membership list with members' consent, emphasizing that the investigation must not target a specific party alone but must be, as instructed by the President, an investigation "without sanctuary," leaving no one exempt.

Second, if any individuals are confirmed to be registered members of any political party, the Headquarters must directly investigate the circumstances of their joining and whether there was any systemic instruction. The investigation must also objectively verify whether these individuals participated in major intra-party elections, such as presidential primaries or party leadership primaries. Third, if claims persist that Shincheonji Church of Jesus received special favors through political intervention, specific details and evidence must be clearly presented. The church notes that if political collusion existed, it could not explain the current reality where the church is blocked from using its own facilities as religious sites, even after purchasing spaces through a legally sound process.

The church strongly demands that this matter be clarified through a fair joint investigation spanning both ruling and opposition parties, rather than through suspicion targeting a specific party. Fourth, the Headquarters must investigate whether there is collusion between politics and religion across all religious groups, including Protestant, Buddhist, and Catholic denominations, using the exact same methods applied to Shincheonji Church of Jesus. This demand underscores the broader implications for religious freedom and political integrity in South Korea, as detailed in the church's statement available at https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/506123/the-joint-investigation-headquarters-must-conduct-a-joint-inquiry-by-cross-referencing-party-membership-lists. The outcome of this investigation could set a precedent for how allegations of religious-political collusion are handled, impacting trust in democratic processes and interfaith relations.